Most Important College Football Recruiting Visits of Week 9

With November rapidly approaching, we are nearing the final month of the college football regular season.

After this weekend’s action, the first College Football Playoff standings will be revealed—which places added emphasis on a few of this weekend’s marquee matchups.

While last weekend’s slate was dominated by ranked foes in the SEC doing battle against one another, this weekend features three meetings of teams ranked inside the Top 20 squaring off. The ACC, Big Ten and Pac-12 will be represented in those contests.

Additionally, a few other games will provide intrigue for recruits making travel plans for this weekend’s games.

Which games will feature pivotal visits taking place?

Let’s take a look at the most important college football recruiting visits of Week 9.

Florida State: 5-Star DT Marvin Wilson

Class: 2017

High School: Episcopal High School (Bellaire, Texas)

Size: 6'4", 329 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 1 defensive tackle; No. 11 overall

The annual showdown between ACC powers Clemson and Florida State has produced memorable contests in recent years. 

While the Tigers are in the mix for a playoff spot, the Seminoles are relegated to spoiler in this meeting.

Still, for head coach Jimbo Fisher and his staff, a win over the Tigers would be huge considering the amount of talent that will be on hand to witness the action in Tallahassee this weekend, as detailed by Chris Nee of Noles247.

One of the biggest names on that list, figuratively and literally, is 5-star defensive tackle Marvin Wilson.

This will be Wilson’s third visit to FSU’s campus, which signifies his level of interest in the ‘Noles.

Wilson has already taken an official visit to Oklahoma and has visited both Texas and Texas A&M unofficially thus far in the fall.

If Florida State hopes to land Wilson in the end, this weekend’s visit will go a long way toward leaving a lasting impression on the nation’s top interior defensive line prospect in the 2017 cycle.

Ohio State: 5-Star LB Anthony Hines

Class: 2017

High School: Plano East High School (Plano, Texas)

Size: 6'3", 225 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 1 inside linebacker; No. 19 overall

Ohio State has the nation’s No. 2 class in the Scout team rankings, but the Buckeyes are hoping a strong finish can vault them to the top spot by February.

Coming off their loss to Penn State, the Buckeyes have a home date against Northwestern in Week 9.

One important official visitor scheduled to be in attendance is 5-star linebacker Anthony Hines, according to 247Sports.

The nation’s top inside linebacker has already taken trips to Florida, Penn State, Texas A&M and UCLA.

With the Buckeyes getting the final crack at him, head coach Urban Meyer and his staff will have the chance to begin their final push beginning with this weekend’s visit.

Oregon: 5-Star OL Austin Jackson

Class: 2017

High School: North Canyon High School (Phoenix, Arizona)

Size: 6'5", 255 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 6 offensive tackle; No. 30 overall

Despite Oregon’s struggles on the field, the Ducks are still an attractive program in the eyes of top recruits.

For example, this weekend’s home contest against Arizona State will feature a nice collection of top talent in the stands, as detailed by Justin Hopkins of 247Sports.

One top prospect the Ducks would love to land is 5-star offensive tackle Austin Jackson.

As Hopkins noted, given Oregon’s woes along the offensive line, Jackson would have a great chance to contribute early in his career should he elect to sign with the Ducks.

Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Nebraska and USC are among the other schools in the running with Jackson. 

However, the Ducks have an opportunity to take a major step forward in Jackson’s recruitment beginning with this weekend’s visit.

Texas: 2018 4-Star ATH Jordan Moore

Class: 2018

High School: Yoakum High School (Yoakum, Texas)

Size: 5'11", 170 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 4 athlete; No. 120 overall

Another program that has struggled this year is the Texas Longhorns.

While the heat has intensified in Austin surrounding the future of head coach Charlie Strong, the Longhorns remain aggressive in trying to land top talent on the recruiting trail.

One of the top priorities for Strong and his staff has been to keep the top talent from the Lone Star State from escaping the state’s borders and heading elsewhere.

With that in mind, it’s pivotal for the Longhorns to build strong relationships with players such as 2018 4-star athlete Jordan Moore.

The No. 4 athlete in the 2018 cycle will be in town this weekend to see the Longhorns take on Baylor.

Moore plans to announce his commitment on Christmas Eve, which means he is close to winding down his recruitment.

This weekend’s visit represents perhaps the best chance for the Longhorns to establish themselves as a serious contender to land his pledge.

Utah: 3-Star WR Bryan Thompson

Class: 2017

High School: Rancho Verde High School (Moreno Valley, California)

Size: 6'1", 185 lbs

Scout.com Ranking: No. 73 receiver; N/A overall

Another big game this weekend will feature a Pac-12 showdown with Washington traveling to face Utah.

The Utes have work to do on the recruiting trail, as they hold the worst-rated class in the Pac-12 and a group rated No. 90 nationally, according to Scout’s rankings.

With what should be a festive atmosphere this weekend, head coach Kyle Whittingham and his staff will use this weekend as an opportunity to host a handful of their top remaining targets.

According to Scout’s Greg Biggins, one such player who will be in attendance is 3-star receiver Bryan Thompson.

Arizona, Boise State, Oregon and Oregon State are among the other schools pursuing Thompson.

The Utes will take a major swing at Thompson this weekend in hopes of becoming a player in his recruitment moving forward.

Sanjay Kirpalani is a National Recruiting Analyst for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes obtained firsthand and all recruiting information courtesy of Scout.com.

Follow @SanjayKirpalani